Choosing Life: The Power of God's Word

Gathering together in the house of God is one of the greatest blessings we can experience, but it only brings true blessing when our hearts are set on serving Jesus Christ and God the Father. The strength of our spiritual life is directly tied to our willingness to hear, study, and obey the living Word of God. Both Christians and those who have not yet believed are called to listen and not turn a deaf ear, for the Word is alive and powerful, able to transform and guide us. Life itself begins with Jesus Christ—there is no other source. The Bible makes it clear: we must be born again, and this new life is only found in Him.

God has set before each of us a choice: life and good, or death and evil. This is not just a message for the Israelites of old, but for every one of us today. We can attend church, hear preaching, and even do good things, but unless our hearts are truly surrendered to Christ, we remain in darkness. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; following Him means walking in the light, even when it is difficult. The world offers many paths that seem right, but only the way of Christ leads to eternal life.

The Word of God is our roadmap, guiding us through the challenges and temptations of life. It is not enough to hear the Word; we must let it take root in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives. God knows every secret of our hearts—nothing is hidden from Him. Just as Adam and Eve could not hide from God in the garden, neither can we hide our true selves. The call is to genuine repentance, to seek God at the altar, and to let Him transform us from the inside out.

Jesus Christ, the living Word, came to bring us the truth and to show us the way to the Father. He calls us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him, to listen for His voice, and to obey even when it means letting go of things we once loved. The joy and peace found in Christ are greater than anything the world can offer. Our choice is clear: to walk in the light and receive eternal life, or to remain in darkness and miss the blessing God has prepared. Let us not be ashamed of our Lord, but give Him thanks in all things, remain grounded in His Word, and trust that He has prayed for us, that we might be strong and faithful until the end.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Blessing of Hearing and Obeying God’s Word True spiritual strength comes not just from hearing the Word, but from letting it shape our lives. When we study and obey Scripture, we are rooted and grounded in Christ, able to withstand the battles and temptations that come our way. Ignoring or merely listening without response leaves us spiritually weak and vulnerable, but attentive obedience brings blessing and growth. [01:51]
• 2. The Choice Between Life and Death Is Ours God sets before each of us a real and urgent choice: life and good, or death and evil. This is not a distant or abstract decision, but a daily reality that determines our eternal destiny. Choosing life means surrendering to Jesus Christ, walking in His ways, and allowing His light to guide us, while choosing otherwise leads to spiritual death and separation from God. [05:56]
• 3. Authentic Faith Requires More Than Outward Religion It is possible to attend church, hear sermons, and even do religious things, yet remain unchanged if our hearts are not truly given to Christ. God sees beyond our outward actions to the true state of our hearts. Only genuine repentance and a sincere turning to Jesus will bring the transformation and assurance of eternal life that we seek. [07:47]
• 4. The Word of God Is Our Roadmap and Revealer Scripture is not just a collection of stories or rules, but a living roadmap that leads us to heaven and exposes the true condition of our souls. Like a map that guides a traveler, the Bible shows us the way to life, warns us of danger, and calls us to walk in the light. Ignoring its guidance leads to wandering and loss, but following it brings us safely home. [19:17]
• 5. Jesus Christ Is the Source and Sustainer of New Life Life begins and is sustained only in Jesus Christ. He not only calls us to follow Him, but also empowers us to overcome sin and live in freedom. When we listen to His voice and obey—even in the small things—He brings deliverance, joy, and the assurance that nothing can separate us from His love except our own choice to walk away. [29:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - The Blessing of Gathering to Serve Jesus
• [01:51] - Hearing and Obeying the Living Word
• [04:26] - Deuteronomy: Life and Death Set Before Us
• [05:56] - The Urgency of Choosing Life
• [07:47] - Outward Religion vs. True Surrender
• [09:06] - Jesus Defines His True Family
• [10:48] - Walking in the Light Amid Life’s Battles
• [12:15] - The Call Goes Out to All
• [19:17] - The Word of God as Our Roadmap
• [23:38] - Loving and Studying God’s Word
• [24:23] - Jesus, the Living Word and Our Example
• [26:49] - Hearing and Obeying the Voice of Jesus
• [27:54] - Personal Testimony: Deliverance and Obedience
• [29:56] - Life, Joy, and Assurance in Christ
• [32:10] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
• [33:52] - Giving Thanks and Living Unashamed
• [35:14] - Jesus Prays for Us and Our Security in Him
• [37:02] - Final Encouragement: Life Starts with Jesus

Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV) — “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

John 3:3 (ESV) — Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Psalm 119:105 (ESV) — Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Observation Questions

1. According to Deuteronomy 30:15-20, what two choices does God set before His people, and what are the consequences of each?
2. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the only true source of life? ([01:51])
3. What does Jesus say is necessary to enter the kingdom of God, as mentioned in John 3:3 and referenced in the sermon? ([32:10])
4. How does the pastor describe the role of God’s Word in guiding us through life? ([19:17])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does God make the choice between life and death so clear and urgent for His people? How does this apply to us today? ([05:56])
2. The pastor says it is possible to attend church and do religious things but still remain unchanged. What does he say is missing in that scenario? ([07:47])
3. What does it mean to be “born again” according to the sermon, and how is this different from just trying to be a good person? ([32:10])
4. The sermon compares the Bible to a roadmap. In what ways does ignoring the Bible’s guidance lead to “wandering and loss”? ([19:17])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that gathering in church is only a blessing if our hearts are set on serving Jesus. When you come to church, what is your main motivation? How can you check your heart before you come? ([00:39])
2. The pastor warns that it’s possible to hear the Word of God but not let it take root. Can you think of a time when you heard a sermon or read Scripture but didn’t let it change you? What kept you from responding? ([25:39])
3. God sets before us a choice between life and death every day. What are some “small” daily choices you make that either lead you closer to Jesus or further away? ([05:56])
4. The pastor shared a personal story about obeying Jesus’ voice and being set free from cigarettes. Is there something in your life that you sense God is asking you to let go of? What would it look like to obey Him in that area? ([27:54])
5. The sermon says that God knows every secret of our hearts and nothing is hidden from Him. Are there areas of your life you try to hide from God or others? What would it look like to bring those into the light? ([19:17])
6. The pastor encourages us not to be ashamed of Jesus, even in public places like a café. When was the last time you had an opportunity to speak up for your faith or give thanks to God in public? How did you respond? ([33:52])
7. The Word of God is described as a lamp and a roadmap. What is one practical way you can make God’s Word a more regular part of your daily routine this week? ([23:38])